Christmas Cookies from Around the World

Christmas cookies are arguably the best part of Christmas. Year after year, we exchange the sweet gift of cookies, be they sprinkled, crunchy, chewy, buttery, or all of the above. How about mixing things up this year with a new kind of Christmas cookie? Introducing: Christmas cookies from around the globe. We've collected cookie recipes from all corners of the world  all unique and all beloved in their home countries. Give your traditional cookies a new spin, and they'll be sure to be the next stars in any Christmas cookie exchange.

Austria: Linzer Cookies

The linzer cookie is a holiday favorite both in Austria and here in the United States. They can be cut into various shapes for all occasions, but one thing always stays the same - there are two cookies sandwiched together with a layer of jam or preserves.

Belgium: Speculaas

These Belgian and Dutch spice cookies are crunchy, thin, and imprinted with traditional Christmas images before being baked. Delicious and decorative, speculaas cookies were originally created in Belgium for children to celebrate Saint Nicolas Day on December 6.

Greece: Kourabiedes

The buttery Christmas shortbread cookies known as Kourabiedes are usually shaped into little pears and circles, but once upon a time, during the Turkish occupation of Greece, they were made crescent-shaped in protest of the Turkish flag.

Mexico: Wedding Cookies

These shortbread-style treats have many names  Wedding Cakes, Russian Tea Cakes, Swedish Tea Cakes, and more. Made with chopped and roasted pecans and rolled in powdered sugar, they're sure to taste as sweet no matter what name you call them.

Russia: Tea Cakes

Mexican Wedding Cookies by another name, Russian Tea Cakes are a rolled shortbread cookie often made with chopped walnuts and rolled twice in the confectioner's sugar. Tea cakes and cream-cheese cookies called Kolachki are typical Russian Christmas cookies.

Sweden: Pepparkakor

Don't be fooled by the pepparkakor's similarity to the American gingersnap. Sometimes called ginger thins, these Swedish classics are heavily spiced, smooth, and extremely thin. During the holidays, these cookies are used to decorate the Christmas tree and come in the shapes of hearts and farm animals. It is also customary to place a pepparkakor in your hand, make a wish, and give it a tap in its center. If the cookie breaks into three pieces, you'll get your wish. If not, you'll still get the cookie.

Scotland: Shortbread Cookies

"Shorties," as they're often called, are eaten throughout the British Islands on special occasions like Christmas and New Year's Eve. The key to making these butter-rich cookies as crumbly and light as Santa expects is to treat the dough gently, and use cold hands and dishes when working with it.

Germany: Pfeffernusse

Pfeffernusse literally means "pepper nuts" in German. The legend goes that St. Nick would bake these gingerbread treats with black pepper, cover them in powdered sugar, and leave them in children's boots every December fifth. It soon became tradition to eat these delicious cookies on more often than just one day a year.

Egypt: Zalabia

Popular in Egypt and throughout the Middle East, these puffy fritters are soaked in syrup colored red or yellow to symbolize joy, and sprinkled with cinnamon or sugar. Also popular in the Jewish tradition, Zalabia are served during Hanukkah as one of many fried treats on the table.

Ukraine: Medianyky (Honey Lace Cookies)

A Ukrainian Christmas favorite, these honey cookies are cut into stars, crescents, or circles. For an extra traditional effect, hang them on the lower branches of your Christmas tree for the kids to eat.

Italy: Anise Drops

Worried about spending the holidays with the whole family or about overeating? Then these Italian Christmas cookies are right for you. Anise seeds are said to have many benefits, such as warding off evil spirits and increasing one's ability to love. Romans used to bake anise seeds into spice cakes to settle their nerves as well as their stomachs after a big meal.